Sightseeing in Venice

This is one of the sections of ceiling in the church.

It costs about $150 for a private ride on the gondola.

The "streets" of Venice.

A great class that the post offers here is called "Benvenutti". It is for spouses to serve as a welcome to Italy. On the first day we all met in a conference room to listen to others talk about their experience. They also took time to address any rumors we can heard or concerns. The lead lady for the class then taught us how to make an Italian lunch. Nothing too fancy, just some bruschetta, chicken rolls with proscuttio and cheese, pasta with fresh tomato sauce, and a tossed salad. It was very delicious. We then ended the day learning a few Italian words from an Italian lady who used to be married to an American soldier so she spent many years in the States and works with the military now helping to build the new base here. On the second day we met super early to head to Venice for the day. The day began by rushing the day care center to drop the kids off and then get to the other side of post to catch the city bus. Things went smoothly and I made it with a few minutes to spare. We then took the city bus to the train station down town. We had a large group and she tried to get us a discount rate so paying was a nightmare. She collected money and then tried to pay for everyone. We only had minutes until the train left so we really did not learn how to do it ourselves. Oh well, we at least made the train. We took the fast train which cost about 10 euro ($15) one way. It was fast with only 3 stops and it was air conditioned. That is always a plus in this country and a rare treat. Once we arrived in Venice about 45 min. later we stopped in the little cafeteria area there for coffee and breakfast. Of course, breakfast is a quick sandwhich or something similar and most Italians drink espresso which our guide informed us it to be drank in two sips and no more. She then started leading us through Venice. Our first area of interest was the old Jewish Ghetto. It was called that because long ago all the Jewish people lived in that area and were basically locked in at night. On the way there we went down some tight little alley ways and myself and another lady in the group who have read the Twilight series wondered if we were being led to meet the Volturri. I could not get over how narrow the walkways were and all the waterways. We did not see a single car our entire day in Venice. We went through some really nice shopping districts, but the area was so crowded and we were so rushed to get everything done that you quickly looked in the windows and kept going. Our first major stop was the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul. From the outside it looks like a typical Italian building. However, once inside it is gorgeous. It also is the burial place for several saints. There were two different bodies actually on display in tombs. The foot of St. Catherine was also on display. We then enjoyed a nice lunch at a nearby restaurant. We saw burial island. It is the island right beside the hospital and people will be buried there for 10 years. At that point they are removed and the remains given to the family to place somewhere else. It was quite interesting. We ended our day in Venice by taking the water taxi back to the train station. It was such a whirlwind day and I look forward to returning one day and taking my time to shop and see the sites. The pictures above were taken on my trip.